MARATHON WORLD-RECORD HOLDER PAULA RADCLIFFE IS AIMING TOWARDS HER FIRST OLYMPIC MEDAL IN FIVE TRIES

Tue, 06 Dec 2011 08:47 AM EST

After making Britain’s team for the 2012 London Games, Paula Radcliffe is hoping this will be the Olympic Games that sees her win Gold. Baseball odds

Radcliffe will be 38 this summer, but announced she’ll be a challenger for gold if she stays fit and injury-free.

The host country claimed the list Tuesday, which includes fellow marathoners Mara Yamauchi and Scott Overall. After all, she is never lost at that distance in London. Baseball spreads

“I do not think I am going in with as robust an opportunity as 2004 or 2008,” Radcliffe announced. “It’s going to be hard, but I do think it’s possible.”

After finishing out of the gong positions in the Five thousand in 1996 and the 10,000 in 2000, Radcliffe has been frustrated in her efforts to round out a stellar career with an Olympic title.

In 2004 in Athens, she withdrew 3 miles from the finish due to a stomach problem. She was diagnosed with a stress fracture in her left femur three months before the 2008 Beijing Games and limped to the line in 23rd place.

A marathon world champ in 2005, three-time winner of the London Marathon and three-time champion of the New York Marathon, Radcliffe is coaching to banish those Olympic memories.

“I have become — not totally philosophical and laidback about it — but rather more relaxed about it,” Radcliffe said. “I’ve seen highs and lows and I’ve had a long career. I’m able to step back and be grateful for the success I’ve had.

“But part of me still hopes there’s a small luck owed to me in terms of staying healthy.”

Radcliffe completed her first marathon in 2 years in Berlin in Sep. After a sequence of wounds and a 19-month break in which she had her second child, Radcliffe ran 2 hours, Twenty-three minutes, 46 seconds to make the English qualifying level.

It was her speediest time in 4 years, but 8:21 slower than the world record she set in 2003 in New York.

“I would not say I’m flying and ready to head out to set records, but I’m improving and doubtless a bit ahead of where we believed I’d be,” Radcliffe said.

Radcliffe stated that she won’t run again over 26.2 miles until the London 2012 race but may try for a 10,000 run in Monaco this Saturday.

After 1 or 2 years of leg, foot and hip injuries, Radcliffe is happy to be on the team.

“To represent your country at a home Olympic Games is something special and I’m ecstatic to be selected for Team GB,” Radcliffe said. “I was pleased to get the qualifying time in Berlin earlier this year and my sole focus is getting in the right shape for London.

“I’m just totally concentrating on being completely prepared for next year.” .

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